WINDOW & DOOR GLOSSARY OF TERMS
AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association): A national trade association that establishes voluntary standards for the window, door, storefront, curtain wall and skylight industries.
Air Infiltration: How much air leaks in and out of a window or building through cracks
Argon Gas: A nontoxic gas used in insulating glass units that reduces heat transfer
Awning Window: A window that is hinged at the top and swings outward
Bay Window: A composite of three or more windows, usually made up of a large center unit and two flanking units at 30°, 45° or 90° angles to the wall.
Bow Window: An angled combination of windows (either 3, 4, or 5) when placed together create an arch shape
Cam-Action: The mechanisms that secure the sashes together when placed in a locked position
Casement Window: A Window with a hinge on the side that uses a crank mechanism to open and close the window
Double Hung Window: A window that has two vertical operating sashes
Energy Star: A joint venture between the US EPA and the US DOE that was created to encourage homeowners to purchase energy-efficient products
Fixed Window: A window with no operating sashes
French Patio Door: A sliding door with two panels – both panels operate and swing inward or outward
Fusion-Welded: A process used to join materials together by melting with extreme heat thus creating one unit
Garden Window: A window the extends from the wall to the exterior of the home. Typically is in a square shape
Hopper Window: A bottom hinged window that opens inward
Jamb: The vertical part of the window frame or the horizontal part at the top of the window
Krypton Gas: A nontoxic gas used in insulating glass units that reduces heat transfer
Picture Window: A large window that has no operating sashes
R-Value: A measure of the resistance to heat flow – a high R-Value means the window has a greater resistant to heat flow and has a higher insulating value
Sash: The operating portion of the window that contains the glass
Sill: The bottom part of the window frame
Sliding Window: A window where the sashes move horizontally
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: The amount of solar radiation allowed through a window – the lower a window’s SHGC, the less heat it transmits and the greater its shading ability
Spacer: The object in between two pieces of glass
U-Value: A measure of the rate of non-solar heat loss or gain through a window – the lower the u-factor, the greater the window’s resistance to heat flow and greater its insulating value